Best handheld console alternatives to ASUS ROG Ally: Steam Deck and more
Not convinced by ASUS' handheld? Find the best ROG Ally alternative and switch.
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If you’re looking for the best ASUSROG Allyalternative to enjoy portable PC gaming wherever you go, what essential features should you be looking for? Whether you’re prioritizing battery life, game compatibility, or something with its variant of a docking station, I’ve rounded up options that excel in various categories and compared them to thecomplete list of ROG Ally specs. There’s no need to wait for a pre-order either; most are on sale now with healthy availability.
It’s a relatively young category, but more tempting handheld consoles capable of playing fully-fledged PC titles are joining an emerging market with healthy competition. TheSteam Deckmay have been one of the first major players to enjoy worldwide recognition, but ASUS appeals to Windows 11 fans by choosing the leading operating system. Alternatives have many other pros and cons, so let me explain your options.
The best ROG Ally alternatives to buy right now
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1. Valve Steam Deck
Our expert review:
Seeing the Steam Deck top the list as the best ROG Ally alternative is hardly surprising since most social media platforms relentlessly compare Valve’s efforts against ASUS. It’s undoubtedly weaker in every aspect of its internal components, but the Linux-based handheld is constantly refined for improved performance with each set of patches and updates.
I get a kick out of tinkering with the SteamOS desktop lurking behind the scenes, but I take no issue with users who find it somewhat intimidating. Thankfully, Valve continues to work on supporting a series of drivers that allowWindows 11 to dual boot on Steam Deck in a few simple steps, either in portable mode via a microSD card (slow but functional) or directly from the internal SSD (fast but currently less suitable for dual boot) totransform it into an Xbox handheld of sorts.
If you’re comfortable with self-made tweaks and reading performance graphs, the very nature of throttling its GPU and optimizing framerate limits alongside sophisticated image upscaling tech gives the Steam Deck a massive boost to its lifespan. Some titles can go from battery-draining nightmares to comfortable long-haul gaming experiences that hardly spin up the built-in cooling fan. Figuring outwhich gaming handheld is betterwill be an ongoing debate, but Valve’s Steam Deck remains the top competitor to ASUS' ROG Ally for now.
2. AyaNeo 2
For a more natural comparison to ASUS' ROG Ally,Windows 11comes standard with the AyaNeo 2, and pros and cons with it. Before breaking down its specs comparison, the most striking difference relates to its shocking cost, with the most basic model starting at $1,099. Still, you get 16GB of DDR5 RAM with a 512GB solid-state drive, like the high-end Steam Deck and the ROG Ally.
Initially starting as anIndiegogo campaign, the AyaNeo 2 is undoubtedly an even steeper option for anyone who thinks ASUS is setting a high price. Still, the funds went into an appropriately comfortable design, withTechRadar’s AyaNeo 2 reviewclaiming it feels like it’s built to last with a fancy presentation. Unfortunately, despite all its advantages, there’s still the timeless issue of battery life.
The AyaNeo 2 can be optimized similarly to its competitors, but playing games at high settings won’t bag you much longer than 1-2 hours of portable action. Still, having standard Windows 11 running underneath the graphical frontend means you’re free to install any launcher of your choice, with anti-cheat software working as intended. With fewer overall users, however, support for lesser-known games will be thin if you can’t figure out the bugs yourself.
If you’re comfortable gaming on a Windows 11 laptop, the same tweaking skills carry over naturally to a handheld running the same OS. The AyaNeo has other variants with scaling hardware, too. Still, not all will suitably compare to the beefy hardware the ROG Ally offers - even with itsdebatable battery life for all-day gaming.
3. Logitech G Cloud
Our expert review:
Handheld consoles designed for streaming services likeXbox Cloud Gamingmight seem like a cop-out when you compare it to the ROG Ally and its native rendering but hear me out. Although the G Cloud runs a version ofAndroidas its operating system, it gives you access to a handful of services filled with PC titles alongside console alternatives.
In theirLogitech G Cloud review, Zachary Boddy praises yet another comfortable design for extended gameplay sessions, so the competitors hardly seem to suffer in their construction. It’s a hefty bonus for something that offers such incredible battery life, given that the games are mostly streamed from the cloud unless you opt for native Android titles or emulation.
With access toNVIDIA GeForce Nowto take the stress of rendering PC games off your device, all the heavy lifting can be done externally and beamed to your device with lightning-fast speeds if your Internet supports it. One of the only real downsides is its exclusivity to the United States, which hinders its use compared to any standard cellphone running similar software. Still, the controls and screen are gorgeous, and it’s a fantastic alternative for those comfortable with subscriptions.
4. Razer Edge Wi-Fi
Our expert review:
The second of two cloud gaming recommendations, the Razer Edge still has a reasonable reason to rival the ROG Ally, with several serious comparisons in its higher-end components. Boasting an incredible AMOLED touchscreen with a 144Hz refresh rate, it leaves major players like Valve’s Steam Deck in the dust regarding visuals. Naturally, it’s practically identical to its functionality as the Logitech G Cloud, but with fancy upgrades.
OurRazer Edge reviewdescribed the Kishi V2 Pro controller as a double-edged sword, proving to be versatile and easy to attach but drastically negatively affecting standby battery life. There’s also a rough limitation to US-only markets, just like the G Cloud. It’s not a great look compared to ASUS' efforts to offer the ROG Ally in even more markets than Valve with its Steam Deck. Then again, the5G variant of the Razer Edgerelies on a partnership with Verizon, which might tempt existing customers.
Still, bagging a full day of PC gaming via the cloud makes the Edge a viable alternative to the ROG Ally on its battery supremacy alone. Another option that depends on your Internet connectivity and location within the United States, but a tempting one, nonetheless. Razer makes high-quality hardware, and the Edge could easily rival the portable PC gaming scene unless you already have an Android device offering similar display specs.
5. GPD WIN3
You can gain a physical keyboard with the GPD Win3 if you’re willing to drop some hardware specs. It’s a bonus to those who despise touch screens, especially when using Windows on such a small device. Microsoft hasn’t precisely optimized its latest operating system variants to screens this small, and on-screen keyboard support is shaky at best when launching full-screen games.
It’s an unusual-looking device, sporting probably the least attractive aesthetics, but it stands out for its unique keyboard and a full-size USB-A port. Connecting any of thebest Xbox controllerswould work perfectly fine since the GPD Win3 runs Windows 10, but you might not gain much since the unit already has a twin-stick setup. A dedicated mouse is likely a better idea, given there are no touch pads to simulate one more accurately.
You still have expandable storage options via a microSD slot, and there are a few variants of the GPD Win3 to choose from to fit your budget. It’s worth checking before splashing out on the ROG Ally, though it feels like more of an answer to theNintendo Switchfeaturing Windows as an OS.
How to choose the best ROG Ally alternative
Deciding on the best ASUS ROG Ally alternative is similar to picking one of thebest gaming laptops, which usually come under similar scrutiny for their battery performance and comfort for portable play. Naturally, a handheld console explicitly designed for games has a huge advantage over lugging a foldable computer wherever you go, but they still differ in critical areas.
Battery life:Handheld consoles like these generally give a Whr (watt-hour) or mAh (milliampere-hour) specification, and the higher the number, the better. Handhelds specializing in streaming, like the Logitech G Cloud and Razer Edge, boast vastly superior playtime.
Portability:If you plan to leave the house regularly, you’ll want to keep a handheld console safe. Valve’s Steam Deck includes a carry case, but ASUS sells you the ROG Ally equivalent separately. You’ll want to protect larger devices like the Razer Edge from damage, although the removable Kishi V2 Pro helps keep it compact.
Operating system:As mentioned, part of ROG Ally’s appeal is running Windows as its OS, with ASUS-branded software overlaid. That’s not to say it’ll permanently stay that way since aYouTuber already turned the ASUS ROG Ally into a Steam Deckwith a custom SteamOS installation. Consider your willingness to learn how alternative systems work, such as Android and Linux, and your options expand considerably.
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Ben is a Senior Editor at Windows Central, covering everything related to technology hardware and software. He regularly goes hands-on with the latest Windows laptops, components inside custom gaming desktops, and any accessory compatible with PC and Xbox. His lifelong obsession with dismantling gadgets to see how they work led him to pursue a career in tech-centric journalism after a decade of experience in electronics retail and tech support.
